DEBOLT FORMATION OIL-SOURCE SYSTEMS - 2 - AUTHIGENIC PETROLEUM SOURCEPOTENTIAL

The Debolt Formation of northwestern Alberta not only acts as a reserv oir for petroleum but also has source potential. Twenty-three core sam ples have been obtained and analyzed and show total organic carbon (TO C) contents up to 9.5% and high extract yields (>150 mg extract/g TOC) . The Rock-Eval/TOC and gas chromatography data indicate that the orga nic matter ranges from predominantly Type III (higher land plant, terr estrial) with mainly gas potential, to mixed Type II/III (Hydrogen Ind ex values up 400 mg hydrocarbon/g TOC) with significant oil source pot ential. The samples in the study are immature to marginally mature wit h respect to oil generation, with maturity increasing to the south and west. Many of the Debolt Formation extracts show a strong C-34,, homo hopane biomarker prominence and low concentration of tricyclic triterp enoid compounds and thus are similar to, and likely the source of, one of the families of oil reservoired in this unit.